2/21 Fort Campbell Life

A look inside...

Gourmet Coffee at Home

How We Met

Adventures in Reading

Black History Month

PCSing Tips

Valentine’s Day Recipes

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Editor Alex Zapetis

Contributors Dave Marshall Joyce Ann Acosta Andres Rodriguez https://www.drinkingwithchickens.com

Publisher Creative ink

Creative Director Sears Hallett

Hello Everyone, Love is in the air! Can you feel it? This issue is filled with home date ideas, recipes, and more that will have your loved one’s heart fluttering. Coffee is a way of life for a lot of us, so we bring you a couple of ideas to make gourmet coffee at home. We are even teaching you how to make Latte art this month!

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Don’t forget to also check out the cute and interesting ways many local military spouses met their soldiers. It is a story you don’t want to miss!

Photography

Have a great February!

Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com https://www.drinkingwithchickens.com Deposit Photo pg: Cover, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 20 Unsplash pg: Cover, 11, 26 3

Alex Zapetis, Editor alex@creativeinktn.com

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Specialty coffee drinks are all the rage. At Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts you have to drive through lines wrapped around the building. But no one can blame you for wanting that delicious treat. It is a great way to get a pep in your step and start your day. Unfortunately, daily Starbucks trips are expensive and time-consuming. If you are looking to save some money this winter, give a few of these at-home recipes a try!

Peanut Butter Mocha 8oz freshly brewed coffee 1 ⁄4 cup milk of choice 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 1 1⁄2 teaspoon peanut butter 2 tablespoons of French Vanilla Creamer Brew your coffee and set it aside.

Blend your milk, peanut butter, and cocoa powder.

Add your creamer into your coffee, and then add your coffee mixture into the blender.

Blend for a few seconds, and then serve.

S’mores Iced Coffee 1

⁄2 cup of very strong coffee ⁄4 cup marshmallow fluff 1 ⁄2 cup milk of your choice 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup 1 ⁄2 tablespoon granulated sugar Whipped Cream Graham Crackers 1

In a bowl, pour your hot coffee over your marshmallow fluff and stir until combined.Transfer your coffee mixture into a blender, and blend it with the chocolate syrup, milk, and sugar. Add in a handful of ice cubes to cool the mixture down, and then blend again. Pour the coffee into a cup with more ice cubes, and then top with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and crushed graham crackers.

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Caramel Chai Latte 4 cups of water 1 cup of whole milk 10 chai-flavored black tea bags 1 â „3 cup caramel flavoring syrup Whipped cream Caramel sauce In a large pot, bring the milk and water to a boil. Be sure to stir occasionally. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add in your teabags.

Allow to simmer for 10 minutes, and then remove from heat.Remove teabags.

Add in your desired amount of caramel sauce to achieve your preferred level of sweetness.

Serve hot, and top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

In addition to having a tasty cup of coffee, presentation is everything. After all, we eat with our eyes first. If you are wanting to surprise your spouse with a cup of coffee with a heart on top, here are a few cool design ideas that you can give a go!

Latte Art Latte art is a beautiful process that can take a little bit of practice to master. If you would like to impress your honey with your latte art skills, there are a few things you will need to run to the store and purchase first. Do not forget, practice makes perfect.

1. Grab some whole milk. The thicker and creamer the milk, the better. You will need about 3 ounces.

2. Froth up your milk. You can do this by sticking it in the microwave for 60 seconds in a microwave safe pitcher.

3. Next, you will need to put the milk in an empty French press.

Your freshly brewed espresso coffee should already be in the mug. Use your French press pump to foam up the milk. Be sure to not over-pump the press or the milk will become too thick.

4. Swirl around your froth, and gently tap it on the counter to release the air bubbles.

5. Tilt your cup to the side and pour about 80 percent of the mixture into the cup.

You are doing this to create the foundation. This prevents your art from sinking right to the bottom.

6. When it is time to create the heart when pouring, bring the pitcher down so it is pouring close to the surface of your coffee. Move the pitcher quickly from side to side, to create a round shape.

7. Finally, when the froth looks rounded, pull the pitcher in a straight line down the middle, pushing away from you. Tada! You have your latte heart.

Cocoa Heart Now, we understand that creating the latte heart may be a little too time consuming for all of our readers, which is why I have a super easy alternative. The Cocoa Heart!

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Top your coffee with a nice thick layer of whipped cream.

Use a spatula to create a smooth surface with the whipped cream.

Use a piece of construction paper to create a heart stencil.

Place the stencil over your whipped cream topping and dust your cocoa powder over it.

Pull away your stencil to reveal your cocoa heart!

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Love is a crazy thing. It can hit you out of nowhere and happen when you least expect it. Sometimes it feels like meeting your spouse was just destiny. Everyone’s story of how they met the love of their life is utterly unique and fascinating. It is always fun to hear personal love stories.

So, that leads us to one of our favorite questions, what is your love story?

the ool! He was . h c S h ig H “We met in we both were injured new kid, and knee and I hurt my He hurt his rted when I would sta shoulder. It r for him to get into o hold the do ry morning with e l schoo ve er arm” my oth Alexis T.

t ung ou r h e W . othe etown ur hom both there for y eye o n i r a t at a b ught m t were “We me ual friends bu about him ca rry. I added a t g with mu Just somethin s the one I’d m it all went . people ew then, he wa next day, and gnant e e k I and n n Facebook th d out I was pr e got n w o u d o him ere. I f ing, an from th hs after meet ths together.

3 mont d after 8 mon together “He was st ationed in marrie ve now been hs. my homet the recruit ow We ha ar & 2 mont His statio ing office was in t n as a recruiter, an 1 ye he mall I w n comman e 1 son d We hav hter.” der was a orked in. introduce g frie du & 1 dau J. “Wow, he’s s, and as soon as I nd of mine and he sa re Nikki and I knew ally cute.” And the w him, I was like, n he he me at work was the one. He wo smiled at me u a milkshake nd surprise me with ld come visit s, and now c we’ve bee offee and for a deca n toge de me with co and he still surpris ther es ffee and m ilkshakes.”

Tessa G. many rom Ger ent to f e r e h oIw CS’d d just P omplications, s ey finally a opped every h I .

R c . Th a bagger at Winn Dixie. I sh HE r s e wa v C e e “H v a A e h B r o o e t f y entive to me! rted up m t in th seen Sunday, and he was very att kout lane “We me nant) and I sta d waited to be able to gather down ec k n s eg He made sure to get in my ch d dating (8mo pr my 1-year-old a y the time I wa ld me to sit bac ger) on rte sta b n and help me to my car. We ER with d me back and per bag they to smashed his fi , and the and he left 4 months later for . calle r and the dia en hurt (he . I was angry t nued Army......and our story conti daughte an MP had got the triage room utual friends m ve been d e ha e s We h o. d becau nd they nee ew it. Throug etter terms, That was 23 years ag a n b ars t k shif de sure he married for 22 ye gain on still I ma MPs) we met a ears later... he this April.”

(Dual re we are 3 y down.”

Jennifer C. and he hasn’t lived it G..

Megan

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“We had been friends since 7th grade. In 11th grade I was trying to get him to go to prom with my friend. We ended up getting paired together by our teacher to be “married” for a semester project in our Bible class. We have been together ever since. People always joke that we were married before we even started dating. I now thank that teacher because I always just saw him as a goofy friend, but that project being married really made me see a side of him I did not know, his hopes and dreams for the future and a family. ” Grace S. .

“I m We bot et my spous know i h worked for e before he ti jo S best fr s a convenie peedway. Th ined the mili o nce st t iend w ore. I w se of you wh ary. as my Josep m a od h, sa ai he fina my husband, ntenance te manager, a o not ch. I w lly gav throug ould ta nd his e me h h date a h i s b lk to est frie lmost 4 is numbe n d r . y u W e n til and ha ars ago at e had our ve bee first an App n l ever si inseparable ebee’s nce.”

Natash a K.

“We dated in middle school. We never dated as adults but always kept in touch. He never had a serious relationship because he was always waiting for me to end things with my ex.

He came home on leave in 2017 and asked me to marry him. We’ve been together ever since and now have a beautiful baby girl.”

Natasha K.

“We met at a bar in Killee stool. He stole my n. I stole his bar version.) We moved heart. (Short in later, got engaged together 4 days aw deployed 2 weeks eek later, he la got married when ter, and we he got back.

Lol so romantic.”

Ciera N.

ere ioned th e t a t s s a s hav dad w ause my mom. So, I alway base. c e b ly a t my rk on d in It nd raise here after he me even used to wo za. We met a n r o b nd I icen tay t “I was ned in V y world a year ided to s and dec rt of the militar band was statio alked for over a r a s e t been a p viano and my hu ted talking. We ub with my sist ht! p r A a a I was in internet and st s going out to s love at first sig. on the n one day I wa vited him. It wa ould together and the friend and I in every day we c d and we nt rrie boy and her hat night we spe nd 3 months ma ith Willow! t a rs d Lil From en 4 yea irl name It has be eautiful baby g irst pictures we have a b is one of the f her!” n I first saw he W y. rt pa et This ay hd ’s birt took tog a B “We met at a friend id I am going to marry that guy s Jes ic sa him my heart just all night into the early morning one day. We talked te ways. A month later I asked friend. He is older ra “We met through a and went our sepa t his friends and him to go and I was still than me by 4 years, my coworker to ge could hang out again. we met. For me it in high school when But because out with us so we e spent every day t. was love at first sigh house, and After that night, w arried a year m I grew up in a strict 17 at together. We got er th ge to en be ve he was 22 and I was te later and ha !” w t da no s ar for 10.5 ye the time, we could no d.“ te A. ua a Jessic until after I grad Melayja W. 8

I knew rksville! d up, la C in e hous howe a friend’s ople, so when I s d did not t a t e m pe an “We he other e I knew, e most of t ing hi to everyon was like everyon d a y it h a s e n I was him. The he was. I swear h e e ic t o n even there knew w ays, and d him, and I just t was w d e t r a p aroun er. Tha this glow ant to be togeth s ago. were me years and 3 kid over 8 ’s my zing.”

He Leila H.

“We wer e we had at a football g ame in h class to at the g g ame I st ether, so I kne igh school, w you wan o t it back le his hat and him. Well t old h t hen for it’ an d we ha you have to ki im ‘if ever sin ve been toge ss me Married ce 08-24-12 ther . since 0 Brianna 3-25-15.”

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ile e wh day n i l ll on ing alked a n he t t a t he d ch nd arte loyed a onths. W hours t s “We as dep or 7 m rove 3 ave f d he w ry day me, he nd we h e o v e me h t me a arable ca mee insep e.” to een sinc b ver e any B..

Tiff

as 010. I w d 2 n i l o cho e an n high s lly abusing m ond i d n a b us ba ec him a s y late h was ver e “I met m some guy who d. I never gave home the fak g g n e i g n y t i n a i a k dat I still st y ended up ta . We started d . . g n i t a che tuall mics r me t. We ac -home econo eft his date fo two h g u o h l t t in hen he regnan gether baby to m night 2011 w ther and got p my soul mate, ge as pro ether ed in to ol. He w We mov ter high scho e. We were tog ave af at dh months true on soul m 2017. It woul ry n i sa like passed anniver until he n our 10-year .” r bee this yea .

V Ivy 9

“He came in as a customer at my first job.

He left and came back 15 minutes later just so he could talk to me and ask for my phone number. We went on one date and we knew it was meant to be. That was 7 years ago... we have been married for almost 4 years and have a 2-year-old beautiful little girl.”

Leigh N.

“I was in a time socia bank robbery...A se he got rep lizing than anythin curity guard was s e la young gen ced. On his last da g else... so our supe nt, but he spent mo re y he told m rvisor repo tleman” to e they wer rted him a replace him months la n e d se te & was home r he went active du that “I would like h nding “a nice-lookin im a lot!” A on leave a ty & we los nd came lo nyway, a fe g t contact. worked th O o w k v er ing ere Facebook! . So, while deploye for me at the bank a year later he d , took me o We emailed for 3 mo to Afghanistan he but I no longer fo n our 1st d n und ths distance fo ate. We fell in lo before he came hom me on ve ea rc long week lose to 2 years, ma instantly. We dated nd ny t end lon during one s in Nashville. We e imes meeting for g loped to F of his leav lorida es. Her & 2 miracle IVF babies e we are 5 years lat to PCS to Fort Camp er, about Stephanie bell!”

H.

You do not have to go out and spend large amounts of money to have a great and romantic Valentine’s Day. There are so many exciting things that you can do at home that will have you feeling like you are in a fairytale. If you plan on staying in this Valentine’s Day, be sure to give these romantic date ideas a try.

Dance the Night Away Can you think of the last time you both dressed up and just danced together? You don’t need a fancy ballroom or special occasion to do so. Clear your living furniture, put on that old dress that makes you feel amazing, and lace up your dancing shoes. Not sure where to begin? http://www.learntodance.com/online-ballroom-dancelessons/ can teach you all the classic dances for free.

Outdoor Paradise What is more romantic than a candlelit dinner under the stars? Grab a blanket, a picnic basket, and some candles, and create the most romantic outdoor date night. Be sure to grab the wine and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Did Someone Say Game Night?

Board games are not just for kids. They can be incredibly fun and exciting for adults too. Nothing is cuter than seeing your spouse’s competitive side. Whether it be a deck of cards or video games, spending that quality time together is a great bonding moment.

Create Art Together Do you have a blank spot on your wall that is begging for some artwork? If so, have a Valentine’s day paint party with your spouse. Together, you can create a masterpiece that will remind you of the moment you spent creating it.

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Dinner and a Movie You don’t have to leave the house to have the classic date night experience.

After you two create a delicious meal together, change into your pajamas, and crawl onto the couch for those perfect Valentine’s Day romantic comedies. Between Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, your movie choices are endless.

Do you like to think about the future and all the adventures you want to take together? Sit down and create a bucket list. Do you want to take a trip to Paris? Own a pet snake? Purchase that dream car? Write it all down and keep it in a safe place so you can cross them off one by one.

Have a Dessert Cook-Off Who can create the most romantic dessert at the end of the night? You or your spouse? Have a cook-off to find out! Not only is it great fun, but you also get two awesome desserts at the end of the night. It is a win-win.

Let’s Fondue It Fondue is a great in-home date night idea for you to try out this year.

You can find fondue kits online at retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

Setting up a fondue night allows you to completely customize your dinner and dessert experience to your spouse’s preferences.

Breakfast in Bed Who says you must wait until nighttime to start spoiling the love of your life? Wake them up with some fresh strawberries and heart-shaped waffles to get this day of love started right.

Be sure not to forget the coffee.

A message from the Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club in regards to their COVID-19 Disclaimer.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, FCSC has decided to cancel in person events until further notice. We will be in compliance with any decision made for Fort Campbell. For now, we as a club have decided to find alternate means to keep our membership going. We thank you for your patience and hope to see everyone when we meet once again. If and when restrictions are lifted we will resume our events, we ask that the guidelines below are followed.

While participating in events held or sponsored by the Fort Campbell Spouses Club., (“FCSC”) “social distancing” must be practiced and face coverings worn at all times to reduce the risks of exposure to COVID-19. Because COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is spread mainly from person-to-person contact, FCSC has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, FCSC cannot guarantee that its participants, volunteers, partners, or others in attendance will not become infected with COVID-19.

In light of the ongoing spread of COVID-19, individuals who fall within any of the categories below should not engage in FCSC events and/or other face to face fundraising activities. By attending an FCSC event, you certify that you do not fall into any of the following categories: 1. Individuals who currently or within the past fourteen (14) days have experienced any symptoms associated with COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath among others; 2. Individuals who have traveled at any point in the past fourteen (14) days either internationally or to a community in the U.S. that has experienced or is experiencing sustained community spread of COVID-19; or 3. Individuals who believe that they may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not yet cleared as non-contagious by state or local public health authorities or the health care team responsible for their treatment.

For any questions or concerns, please contact them at their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/fortcampbellspousesclub

For more information on the Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fortcampbellspousesclub/ or their website https://www.fortcampbellspousesclub.org/.

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Pink Nog Makes approximately 6-8 servings.

6 fresh whole eggs 2 cups whole milk 1-1⁄2 cups light rum 1 cup sugar 1 cup heavy cream 1 ⁄2 cup Chambord Liqueur 1 ⁄2 cup fresh pink grapefruit juice Red Rooster Margarita 20 drops grapefruit bitters edible pink flowers to garnish Makes 2 servings or 1 double serving.

1 Separate eggs: yolks in a medium 1 ⁄2 oz tequila reposado 1 oz Campari mixing bowl, whites in another.

1 oz fresh orange juice Cover and refrigerate the whites.

1 Whisk together the yolks and the sugar until 1⁄2 oz blood orange liqueur the mixture is smooth and creamy. Whisk in milk, cream, rum, grapefruit juice, ⁄2 oz fresh lime juice raspberry liqueur, and bitters until thoroughly combined. Cover and refrigerate Citrus slices and an organic blossom for garnish mixture 1 to 24 hours. Before serving, whisk egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the nog mixture. Serve immediately, If you like it a little sweeter, garnishing with fresh flowers. add 1⁄2 oz. of light agave syrup Use extreme caution and common sense when consuming raw egg products. to your mix. In a shaker with ice, combine all ingredients and shake until very chilled.

Hearts + Butterflies Gin + Tonic In a large coupe/marg glass, add ice, and then strain shaker contents in. Top with garnish.

3 oz. Empress Gin 1908 Drink recipes and photos courtesy 3 oz. tonic water of https://www.drinkingwithchickens.com 1 ⁄2 oz. fresh lemon juice 1 ⁄4 oz. rosewater approx. 1 tbs. heart-shaped organic rose petal confetti or just a few whole rose petals organic rose petal/confetti ice cubes Cut your rose petals into trillions of tiny hearts or skip this step and just keep the rose petals whole. Freeze your rose petals into ice cubes.

Place about a half tablespoon of heart confetti (or a few whole rose petals) in the base of a collins glass. Stack your rose petal/confetti ice cubes in the glass all the way to the brim, sprinkling in more rose petal confetti or rose petals as you stack the ice.

Add gin, rosewater, lemon juice, and top with tonic water.

Give it a stir, and enjoy.

Rose + Rosé Hot Chocolate Makes approximately 2 - 6 oz. servings.

1 cup 2% milk 2 oz. rosé wine 1 ⁄2 oz. elderflower liqueur 1 ⁄2 oz. rosewater 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 1 tablespoon light agave syrup 1 ⁄4 cup dried whole rose petals for garnish Rosé All Day Marshmallows to garnish Place all ingredients, except garnish, in a dry shaker and shake vigorously to combine. Transfer to microwave safe mugs and heat in microwave for 30-60 seconds. Garnish with a sprinkling of dried rose petals and a few rosé marshmallows.

Reading is an amazing hobby for your child to partake in. The benefits of them picking up that book are frankly just phenomenal.

Reading helps them exercise their brains, improve their concentration, builds a strong vocabulary, and even assists in raising school grades. If you want your child to start reading more, having many great books at their fingertips is a great place to start. If you find yourself in the book aisle soon and are unsure where to start, here are some fantastic options for every age group.

0-3 years old Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown This is a classic tale that is loved by many. It is poetic and gentle, which makes it the perfect way to end the day. Its soft illustrations are also sure to catch the attention of little eyes.

The Mitten by Jan Brett In this bestselling tale, a small child’s misplaced mitten leads to a charming animal adventure. What will the little bunny do with this new find? How about the brown bear that will shortly follow?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Chances are, you remember this book from your childhood. Its bright colors and funny tale are hard to forget. It is fun and interactive, making it the perfect book for playtime.

4-7 years old Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev In this bestselling and worldwide phenomenon, a local Pet Club won’t allow a boy’s small pet elephant. This causes him to come up with some creative and wild solutions.

If Animals Kissed Good Night by Ann Whitford Paul How would your favorite animal give goodnight kisses? Would an elephant use its trunk? What would a giraffe do? Discover how these sweet animals give out those nightly kisses.

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The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines In this #1 New York Times bestseller, a group of children discover that creativity and acceptance can come together to make for a bright and beautiful adventure.

8-10 years old The Ickabog by JK Rowling From the creator of Harry Potter, this children’s book is a cozy, adventurous, and hilarious fairy tale of a monster that is facing all odds.

Cat Kid Comic Club: From the Creator of Dog Man by Dav Pilkley If your child was a fan of the Captain Underpants novels, then this is the tale for them. Watch these spunky characters introduce their animal friends to the art of comic-making.

Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney This is the tale of Roland and his best friend, Garg the Barbarian.

Follow them as they venture out of the safety of their homes and embark on a crazy journey to save Roland’s mom from the White Warlock.

11-14 years old Red Stars by Davide Morosinotto This unique mystery adventure is told in a format that is sure to keep your child’s attention. It is told by sharing diary entries, maps, and photos.

It truly brings readers along on the journeys of two twelve-year-old siblings, separated just before the Nazi siege of their city and each desperate to reunite with one another.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B Alston This novel follows Amari Peters in her quest to prove that her brother is still alive. The search takes an interesting turn when she uncovers a hidden briefcase in his closet that contained a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs.

The Impossible Climb (Young Readers Adaptation): Alex Honnold, El Capitan, and a Climber's Life by Mark Synnott The captivating story of how a shy kid from California, grew up to grab the attention of the entire world. He single handedly did this by shattering the limits of human potential through hard work, discipline, and deep respect for the natural world.

15-18 years old One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus Have you heard of a novel that is said to be Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club?

Five strangers will walk into detention, and only four are walking out alive.

Every Last Word by Tamara Stone Samantha McAllister seems to be one of the normal popular girls in the 11th grade. But she has a secret that she keeps buried inside. Sam has Purely Obsessional OCD and is consumed by a stream of dark thoughts and worries that she cannot turn off. She then stumbles into a new group of friends that helps her discover a new side of herself and begins feeling more “normal” than ever.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart If you are looking for a novel that will suck you in and shock you until the very end, grab this book today. The ending is a secret, and if anyone asks you how it comes to a close, be sure to lie.

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As you all know, February is Black History Month. This month is used to celebrate and honor the achievements of African Americans throughout U.S History. This remembrance began in 1976, and every U.S President has deemed February as Black History month since.

There have been so many remarkable African American men and woman throughout history that have truly left their marks on the world, including those within the US Military. They left their stamp on our military and changed it for the better. Here are just a few of them to honor and praise all month long.

Benjamin O Davis Sr. The first African American to hold star rank in the U.S. Army, as well as the armed forces.

This amazing moment of history happened on Oct. 25, 1940, and his hard work and determination paved the way for countless minority men and women.

Doris Miller Also known as “Dorie,� was one of the very first heroes of World War II. He is remembered for his actions during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. His bravery earned him the Navy Cross and his face was even used on future recruitment posters.

Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. A man of many firsts within the United States Navy.

A few of his groundbreaking accomplishments include being the first African American to command a U.S. Navy warship, the first African American to command a major naval warship, and the first African American admiral.

Frank E. Peterson Jr. The first African American Marine Corps Aviator and General. On February 23, 1979, Peterson was promoted to brigadier general.

This made him the first African American general in the Marine Corps. He made history again in May of 1983 when he was promoted to major general. His amazing climb did not stop there because, in June of 1986, he was named lieutenant general.

Hazel Johnson-Brown In 1979 Hazel made history when she became the first black female general in the United States Army. This promotion also made her the first black chief of the United States Army Nurse Corps. She is widely remembered for her role as the Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing.

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PCSing is a huge part of the military lifestyle. Every few years, your family packs up their entire life, and moves across the country. It is a daunting task, no matter how many times you have done it in the past. That is why it is always important to be learning from past mistakes and discovering new tips and tricks along the way.

Photograph All Household Items Things often get broken, lost, or damaged in a move. Taking pictures of your goods before they are packed up can assist you in making claims later down the road.

Book of Receipts Even the smallest receipt may end up being incredibly important. To prevent one from being misplaced, create an envelope that will specifically store all your receipts from your move.

Read Your Lease If you know you have an upcoming move, be sure to dust off your current lease and read over all move out procedures at least two months in advance. You do not want to be caught with unexpected charges or scrambling to meet move out requirements.

Update Your Address Not only do you need to set up a forwarding address with USPS but be sure to change your address with other online retailers as well. Between subscription boxes and Amazon packages, you do not want to miss your packages.

Return Any Borrowed Goods Do you have any library books at home? Borrowed a ladder from your neighbor? Did your friend lend you the perfect dress for a big event? If so, be sure to drop them off before your big move. Nothing feels worse than unpacking that borrowed item when you are now thousands of miles away.

Set Money Aside Moving to a new city often means having to find a new job for military spouses. Try and set some money aside each month leading up to your move to help cover the weeks you will be actively job hunting.

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Think Ahead on Medication Refills Check your refill dates on your must-have medications and get them refilled before the big move. Relocating is already stressful enough. You do not want to be scrambling to get your medication refilled in the middle of it.

Hold Off on Purchasing New Furniture Are you itching to buy a new couch, but know you have to move in 3 months? It is best to hold off on that purchase until you are at your new location. Large heavy items tend to get damaged in moves, and there is nothing worse than getting a rip in your new sofa.

Pack Important Documents Separately Do not let the movers pack up your important documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and IDs. You more than likely will need them as soon as you arrive at your new duty station, and sometimes household goods can take weeks to be delivered.

Pet Sitting If possible, ask a friend or a neighbor to keep your pets while your items are being loaded up into that moving truck. The front door will be staying open for an extended amount of time, and you do not want your pet running off the day before you move across the country.

Remember Old Bills Unless you move on the first day of your billing cycle, you will probably have a few utility bills to pay from your old duty station, even if you have been at your new one for a few weeks. Be sure to keep an eye on those previous accounts. You do not want unpaid bills going into collections.

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Valentine’s Day Recipes Cooking a great Valentine’s Day meal with your spouse is a romantic and delicious thing to do when celebrating the holiday. You do not have to spend a ton of money at a fancy restaurant to feast with your Valentine. You can make dinner and dessert at home, and we have the perfect two recipes for you to whip up on the 14th.

Ricotta and Sausage Stuffed Shells

by Andres Rodriguez 20 large Shells • 1 Pound Italian Sausage 1 cup Ricotta Cheese 10 Ounces Chopped Spinach 1 ⁄4 cup Heavy Cream • Parmesan Cheese Olive Oil • 1 Tbs Minced Garlic Marinara Sauce • Salt • Pepper Cook your pasta shells. Drain and rinse, and then set to the side. Sautee your spinach, sausage, and garlic in olive oil until cooked. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer to a large bowl.Mix in your ricotta, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Stir the ingredients until well combined. Fill your cooked shells with your stuffing mixture and place them in a greased pan. Top with parmesan cheese and cook until cheese is melted. Heat up your marinara sauce, and carefully cover the bottom of your plate with it.

Just enough to create a thin layer on the bottom of your plate. Place your final shells on top of the marinara sauce.

Creme Brulee

by Joyce Ann Acosta 4 egg yolks • 2 cups heavy cream 2 tsp vanilla • 1⁄2 cup + 2 tbsp sugar Whisk the yolks and 1⁄2 cup sugar in a bowl. Heat cream in saucepan over low heat then add vanilla. Gradually stir in hot cream while whisking the mixture constantly. Strain using a fine mesh and pour into two individual ramekins.

Place in a baking dish and fill it with boiling water halfway up to the sides of the ramekins.

Bake in 300 F oven for 35 minutes.

Cool and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Put sugar over the custard and broil for 10 minutes.

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February is American Heart Month, and it is a month dedicated to keeping one of the most important organs in your body nice and healthy. By adopting great habits to prevent heart disease, you can profoundly change your entire life course.

A healthy heart starts with diet and exercise, but where exactly do you start when you decide to make that big change?

This easy-to-follow guide is the perfect place to begin.

Heart-Healthy Exercises Aerobic exercise for 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week. A few examples of aerobic exercises are jogging, running, swimming, biking, and playing basketball. These exercises help improve your body’s circulation, which can lower blood pressure and heart rate. Also, two nonconsecutive days per week of resistance training using free weightlifting and resistance bands can help reduce fat and create leaner muscle mass. Pick up those weights and get your pump on. Other fantastic heart-healthy exercises include sit-ups, pushups, hiking, jumping rope, using an elliptical, and brisk walking.

Heart-Healthy Foods Foods that are high in Vitamin K help protect your arteries and promote proper blood clotting. Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collard greens are full of Vitamin K and make delicious salads.

The next food that you need to add to your diet is whole grains. They are high in fiber, which reduces “bad” LDL cholesterol and decreases the risk of heart disease. Foods that are high in whole grains are whole wheat, brown rice, oats, rye, barley, buckwheat, and quinoa.

Another awesome heart-healthy food is berries. That is because they have anthocyanins in them. Anthocyanins protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.

Be sure to add blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries to your next shopping list.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have some amazing heart benefits, and your local fish market is full of Omega-3s! Chow down on some salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna.

Finally, avocados are full of monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to reduce levels of cholesterol, which is needed to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Since 1941, the USO has adapted to the needs of our men and women in uniform and their families by keeping them connected to the things they love and fight for.

Join them on February 4th in wishing the USO a Happy 80th Birthday!

Are you looking for ways to get involved with the USO? Visit volunteers.uso.org Local February programming at Fort Campbell includes:

7 Feb: Tailgate To Go 9 Feb: National Pizza Day! 11 Feb: Coffee Connections 12 Feb: Valentine Activity Kits Pick Up 23 Feb: Healthy Kids, Healthy Families | Score Program

Warrior Wednesdays Service members get free lunch starting at 1130 from the USO Little Lunches Service members get free sandwiches every Monday starting at 1130 Our Center is open! Be sure to check our webpage fortcampbell.uso.org for the latest hours and information. If you haven’t already, download the USO mobile app to keep you in the know on all of our programs and events.

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If you find yourself feeling a little down lately, you aren’t alone. The cold and wet weather comes with something called “The Winter Blues” and it is common across the country. There are more than 3 million cases reported per year. That’s a lot of people. When the days start to drag on, and you find it harder to smile, take a step back and try out these scientifically proven ways to beat the Winter Blues.

Upgrade Your Skincare Routine When you look in the mirror, your skin is a reflection of how you are feeling. When you see dry skin, undereye bags, and breakouts, your mind automatically assumes that you are exhausted and rundown. Don’t be fooled by this. The reason your skin looks better in the summer months is due to your sun-kissed skin and the moisture that the humidity brings. That is why it is so important to adopt a great skincare routine to keep your winter skin fresh and glowing. If you look good, you feel good.

Brighten Up Your Surroundings The cold cloudy environment can leave you craving the warmth and sunshine of months past. Why is that? It has been proven that sunshine is actually an antidepressant for many people. So, what can be done during the winter? Try opening your blinds first thing in the morning, cut back any bushes or limbs blocking your windows, and move your furniture closer to natural sunlight. For those extra gloomy days, you can even purchase a light box to sit in for 30 minutes a day.

Improve Your Eating Habits Did you know that eating a ton of carbohydrates can increase the feeling of anxiety and depression? Making smarter and healthier food decisions is not only great for your mental health, but your physical one as well. Add in a lot of daily fruits and vegetables, but don’t forget a little bit of chocolate here and there. It has been proven that chocolate can actually help enhance your mood.

Exercise When you are feeling blue, the last thing you want to do is workout.

But, just 35 minutes of exercise a day can help improve symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Isn’t that amazing? If you just push yourself to exercise everyday for a week or two, you will fall in love with the outcome. You will feel a weight lifted off of your shoulders, and you will begin looking forward to your daily exercise.

Jam Out Make a playlist of happy and upbeat music to listen to daily.

Whether you are in the car, cleaning up around the house, or just relaxing, make sure you’re jamming out. A research study has shown that cheery music can significantly improve the listener’s mood.

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